Game titan, Grand Theft Auto 5, makes its long-awaited debut in Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, 12 years post its initial global release. The release comes with a mature age rating of 21+, under the country's fresh regulatory guidelines.
The gaming landscape in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is poised for a significant transformation, as the iconic title Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) is expected to launch in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) without significant delays or regulatory challenges.
This development follows the successful release of Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) in these countries, marking a significant shift in the region's gaming landscape. The approval of GTA V, nearly 12 years after its global debut, has been made possible by new localized regulations that introduce a 21+ age rating, stricter than the conventional 18+ ratings worldwide.
The regulatory change, established by the Saudi General Authority for Media Regulation and the UAE Media Council, allows GTA V to be sold largely uncensored, except for some gambling-related content disabled to comply with local laws. This regulatory evolution and market opening signal a broader openness to mature-themed games in a traditionally conservative region, reflecting a growing maturity in content policies and a move from previous PEGI reliance to localized standards.
The official release of GTA V also ends the need for workarounds, such as imports, foreign accounts, or piracy, that players in these countries had previously used due to the ban on the game's depictions of violence, sex, and drug use. The legal purchase and play of the game are expected to boost sales and expand the region's legitimate gaming market considerably.
The approval of GTA V is viewed as a turning point for the MENA market, encouraging publishers to consider the region more seriously for mature titles. For example, the Saudi-based Advanced Initiative Company secured distribution rights for Take-Two Interactive’s titles (Rockstar's parent company), suggesting a dedicated, localized distribution strategy for current and future releases such as GTA VI, NBA 2K, and Red Dead Redemption.
This approach aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, which promotes digital entertainment sectors and esports as part of economic diversification. The formal entry of GTA V improves the likelihood that forthcoming Rockstar titles (like GTA VI) will have simultaneous or timely launches in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, avoiding previous lengthy delays or complete bans, thus signaling more synchronized strategies with global launches.
The expansion of GTA V into Saudi Arabia and the UAE could push the game closer to the 250-million milestone, as it has already sold over 215 million copies worldwide as of May 2025. The region's inclusion in GTA 6's launch plans is a significant development for the gaming industry, with the highly anticipated game potentially part of Rockstar's global launch plans from day one, provided it conforms to local censorship laws.
In summary, the launch of GTA V in Saudi Arabia and the UAE has helped lay the foundation for a more vibrant and officially recognized mature gaming market in MENA. This shift is integrally linked to broader governmental agendas focused on digital entertainment growth and economic diversification in the region.
The regulatory changes within the MENA region have opened the door for the introduction of mature-themed games, such as Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6), following the successful release of Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V). This expansion is expected to boost the region's legitimate gaming market significantly, and may potentially place the MENA market as part of global launch plans for upcoming Rockstar games.
